Coll 30/6 'Persian Gulf. Bahrein [sic]: Trade Reports 1928 to' [‎9r] (18/476)

AMENDMENTS TO PARTS I AND II OF MR. WAKEFIELD’S REPORT ON
ECONOMIC AND TRADE CODITIONS IN THE BAHRAIN ISLANDS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.
(A) General Description.
'"he total population is estimated at about
^^,000.
Trade—General Condition.
Tbe total value of trade for the year, excluding
imports and exports of petroleum, of oil equipment
for the Bahrain Petroleum Company and of supplies
for the Services was Rs. 5,68^03,110 as compared
with Rs. 4,77,49,030 in 1942—43. It shows an
increase in imports of Rs. 1,04,66,420 and decrease
in exports of Rs. 14,12,340.
Of the total imports and exports for the year
under review, 24|% and 56% respectively were of
specie, notes, gold and gold coins, the figures for
which for the last two years are as follows
Imports —
1942-43;
1943-44.
Specie and notes ,
, 99,71,090
93,15,660
Gold coins .
, 47,930
94,020
Total .
. 1,00,19,020
94,09,680
Exports —
Specie and notes .
. 78.18,530
1,01,98,030
Gold coins . . ,
. 2,70,840
3,14,160
Total
. 80,89,370
1,05,12,190
It shows a decrease in imports of Rs. 6,09,340 and
in exports an increase of Rs. 24,22,820. Omitting
the articles mentioned in the previous paragraph
the value of imports and exports for thelast two
years has been as follows
1942-43, 1943-44-
Imports ..... 1,80,28,990 2,91,04,750
Exports 1,16,11,650 77,76,400
These figures which include considerable tranship
ment and re-export cargoes, show an increase in the
value of imports of Rs. 1,10,75,760 and a decrease
in the value of exports by Rs. 38,35,160.
Sources of trade.— principal source of Bah
rain’s imports is India whose share of the total
imports decreased by 14% as compared with 1942-
43. The shares f the United Kingdom and United
States of Amerka on the other hand shoved a
decrease of 3% and an increase of 588% respec
tively. Imports from Arabia show an increase of
30%.
The increase in the value of trade cannot how
ever be attributed to an all round improvement
in trade, but was due to an increased quantity of
imports by the Bahrain Petroleum Company and
of cereals by the U.K.C.C. I here was however a
distinct improvement in local trade between
Persia and Bahrain.
(B) Finanical— Tightness a? Money.
Money remained extremely tight during the yeat
1943-44. Indian Funds were being sold in the
bazar at 4% discount until the beginning of 1944
when the rate fell to 1£% discount.
Exchange.— The average sterling-rupee rate of
exchange for the year was Rs. 1,338 per £ 100.
Harvest — The date crop was unusually good.
During the year under report there was an increase
of cultivation of vegetables by small holders.
Industry — The pearl catch was a little less than
the previous year. Due to activity on the Indian
market prices of low'er grade pearls rose consider
ably over 1942— 43 prices.
Development of mines —The figures below will
give some idea of the development of the oil fields :—
Quantity of oil shipped from Bahrain for the
fiscal year ended 31st March 1944—
1,095 844.346 tons,
Total production of oil for the same period—
882,923'626 tons.
Quantity of crude oil received from Arabia
and refined in Bahrain-- 685,103- 299 tons.
(E) Air Service.
The British Overseas Airways Corporation are
maintaining six services weekly both east and
west, carrying passengers, mails and a quantity
of cargo.
Shipping and navigation.— There is an increase
of 110% over pre-war rates of freight between
Karachi and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports, The freight
charges in respect of general cargo were as follow''
Bahrain to Karachi 29 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per ton.
Bahrain to Bombay 29-8-0 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per ton,
Bahrain to Basra 25 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per ton.
Bahrain to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports Rs. 32-8-0 per
ton.
Lighterage — There are a number of sea-goinrr
dhows with cargo capacity of up to 40 tons each!
There is a marked increase in the craft available in
this area. Messrs. Gray, Mackenzie and Co., Ltd.,
Bahrain had ten steel barges with average capacity
of about 180 tons during the period under review.
Moreover the British Indian Steam Navigation
Company maintained twelve cargo boats with an
average capacity of about 25 to 30 tons.
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